Easel type display device



Aug. 10, 1965 E. H. WOLFE 3 9,

EASEL TYPE DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Aug. 2 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 5 l arffZZ/alfe,

B M, WYM

Aug. 10, 1965 E. H. WOLFE 3,199,897

EASEL TYPE DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Aug. 2, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR l @0115. ll/afe,

United States Patent 3,1?9397 EASEL TYPE DISPLAY DEVICE Edgar H. Wolfe, Winnetira, Ill., assignor to The Barrett Bindery Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 2, 1963, Ser. No. 299,515 2 Claims. (El. 231-393) This invention relates to portable display devices and, particularly, to loose left display binders and analogous devices of the easel type, intended for use by salesmen and others in presenting to prospective customers sales literature, such as pictures, charts and related materials in convenient form.

Display devices of the character referred to are known and rather extensively used. In many of the known devices means is provided for supporting the binder at an upward and rearward inclination for ease of display. In general, such devices are of rather complicated construction and the cost thereof renders their use uneconomical in many cases. Also, in many of the known display devices, the means for supporting the device in easel form comprises loosely mounted movable parts requiring manual adjustment both in setting up the device and in the folding thereof into its normal book form.

My invention has to do with a display binder which avoids the objections to the known binders, above mentioned. To that end I provide a display binder comprising a minimum number of parts, which may be produced at comparatively low cost and in which the means for holding the binder in set-up condition is automatically moved to operative position, may be moved to inoperative position with minimum effort and, in the normal folded condition of the binder is concealed, so that the binder then presents a neat and attractive appearance, and the means for holding it set-up does not in any way interfere with the contents of the binder. Further objects and advantages of my invention Will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective front view of a display device embodying my invention, shown in fiat open condition, with the usual display material omitted for clearness of illustration and the ring binder assembly and the backbone partly broken away.

FIGURE 2 is a side view, partly broken away and in section, of the device of FIGURE 1 in its set-up display condition.

FIGURE 3 is an inner face view of a modified form of device embodying my invention, shown in its fully extended condition preliminary to setting it up in display position, with the ring binder assembly and one of the covers partly broken away and the usual display material omitted for clearness of illustration;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective side view of the device of FIGURE 3 in its set-up condition;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing a second modified form of binder embodying my invention and with one of the covers only partly broken away; and

FIGURE 6 is a perspective side view of the binder of FIGURE 5 in its set-up condition.

The display device shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 is, in general, of known construction except for the means for holding it in set-up display condition. It comprises two covers 10 and 11 hingedly connected along crease lines 12 and 13 to opposite sides of a backbone 14. The cover 10 comprises upper and lower panels 15 and 16, which may be termed supplementary and primary members, respectivley, hinged together along a transverse crease 17. Likewise, the cover 11 comprises upper and lower panels 18 and 19, which may also be termed supplementary and primary members, respectively, hinged together along a transverse crease line 20. Preferably though not necessarily, the lower panels or primary members 16 and 19 of covers it and 11 are of somewhat greater height than the upper panels or supplementary members 15 and 18 thereof. The backbone 14 comprises upper and lower sections 21 and 22, which may be termed supplementary and primary members, respectively, hinged together along a transverse crease line 23 coincident with the cover crease lines 17 and Ztl, constituting a continuation thereof.

A loose leaf ring binder assembly 25 is suitably secured, as by rivets 26, to the lower section 22 of the backbone 14, at the inner face thereof. The ring binder assembly 25 is of conventional type, is rigid and includes split ring 27. The rings 27 receive the loose leaves of material to be displayed, provided with appropriately disposed openings, in the usual manner. The binder assembly 25 is further provided with forwardly projecting top and bottom levers 2S and 29, frequently termed triggers, for opening and closing the rings 27, as is known. The height or length of the assembly 25 is approximately the same as that of the backbone l4 and the upper section 21 of backbone 14 is free from thebinder assembly 25. Accordingly, when the panels 15 and 18 of covers 10 and 11, and upper section 21 of backbone 14, are turned downward and rearward in the operation of setting up the binder for display purposes, the binder assembly 25 will project a substantial distance above the lower section 22 of the backbone 14, as will be understood and for a purpose to be explained more fully presently. While the binder assembly 25 shown is preferred, it is to be understood that my invention cornprehends the use of any suitable binder assembly or analogous means.

A brace member 31 has its upper end suitably secured, conveniently by rivets 32, to the upper end of upper section 21 of backbone 14 at the inner face thereof. The brace member 31 preferably is a fiat steel spring strip of elongated rectangular or oblong shape and is free at its other end. Brace member 31 is provided, a short distance from rivets 32, with a transverse bend 33 and comprises a relatively short arm 3%, seating on and fixed to the upper end of upper section 21 of backbone 14, and a relatively long arm 35 free of and yieldingly urged away from section 21 of backbone 14- by the inherent resiliency of member 31. Any suitable brace member may be used, within the broader aspects of my invention.

In the flat open position of the binder arm 35 of brace member 31 is disposed in its inoperative position, between the upper portion of binder assembly 25 and the upper section 21 of backbone l4, arm 35 of member 31 being of such length that its free end is then disposed above and in proximity to the hinge line 23 of backbone 14; as shown in broken lines in FIGURE 1. The covers 10 and 11 may then be turned to closed position enclosing the display material (not shown) carried by the binder assembly 25, the closed binder then resembling in appearance a conventional type of book, as will be understood.

When it is desired to set up the binder for display purposes, it is held in upright position, preferably, though not necessarly, with the lower edges of the covers it and 11 resting upon a table top or other suitable supporting surface. The covers 10 and 11 are then opened to position in a common plane with the backbone 14. That releases upper section 21 of backbone 1d and the longer arm 35 of brace member 31, due to the inherent resiliency of the latter, swings section 21, and with it panels 15 and 18 downward and rearweard relative to lower section 22 and panels 16 and 19. The binder is then tilted rearward to position with the binder assembly in contact with the upper end of arm 35, if it is not already in contact therewith. The arm 35 is then dis- V V facilitating use of the binder.

posed at a downward and rearward inclination to the binder assembly 35, with the then lower edges of panels 15 and 18 and backbone section 21 resting upon the supporting surface and effective for holding the binder in its set-up display position shown in FIGURE 2. The lower cover panels 16 and 19, upon which the display material rests, are then held at an upward and rearward inclination effective for supporting and displaying such material .to advantage. It will be seen that the settingup operation is mainly automatic, which is desirable as In folding the binder to book form, arm 35 of brace member 31 is moved to position adjacent upper section 21 of backbone 14, as in FIGURE 1, after which the binder may be closed as above described.

In the modified form of my invention shown in FIG- URES 3 and 4, the binder comprises continuous panels or covers 37 and 38, which may be termed primary members, respectively, hinged along crease lines 39 and 44) to opposite sides of a continuous. backbone 41, also a primary member, all of equal height and of appropriate strength and rigidity. A ring binder assembly 42, similar to that of FIGURES 1 and 2, seats on the inner face of backbone 41. and is suitably secured thereto adjacent each end, convenientlyby rivets 43.

Two rigid rear panels or supplementary members 45 and 46 are hinged along crease lines 47 and 48 to the bottom edges of covers 37 and 38, respectively, and a backbone rear section or supplementary member 49 is hinged along a crease line th to the lower end of backbone 41. The panels 45 and 46 are also hinged along crease lines 51 and 52 to the sides of the backbone rearv section 49. The latter and the panels 45 and 46 are, preferably though not necessarily, of equal height and are of appropriate strength and rigidity. As will be understood from the foregoing, the panels 45 and 4d and the backbone rear section 49 may be folded rearwardly and upwardly to position against the rear or outer surfaces of covers 3'7 and 38 and backbone 41, when it is desired to fold the binder into book form for carrying it. The panels 45 and 46 and the backbone rear section 49 may also be turned to position extending rearward from the covers 37 and 38 and backbone 41 at an angle for supporting them at an upward and rearward inclination, for display purposes, as will appear more fully presently.

A brace member 54 is suitably secured at its upper end, conveiniently by rivets 55, to backbone 4-1. The brace member 54 preferably is formed of an oblong strip of spring steel and is provided with a transverse bend 56 a short distance from its upper end, providing a relatively short upper arm 57 fixed to backbone 41 and a relatively. long lower arm 58 free for movement toward and away.

from the backbone 41. When the binder is folded into book form the brace member is confined between backbone 41 and the rear section 49 thereof, as will be understood from what has been said. Preferably, the height of rear section 49 of backbone 41 is at least equal to the total length of brace member 54. Accordingly, in the folded and closed condition of the binder the brace member is concealed by rear section 49 and is confined between the latter and backbone 41 with the lower end of arm 58 above and in proximity to the crease line 5%, arm 58 beingof appropriate length to that end.

When it is desired to set up the binder of FIGURES 3 and 4 for display purposes, it is held a slight distance above a table top or other suitable supporting surface and the covers 37 and 33 are moved to open position disposed in a common plane with the backbone 41.-

When covers 37 and 38 reach that position, arm 53 of brace 54, due to the inherent resiliency thereof, moves rearwardly away from backbone 41. That imparts rearward and downward movement to the backbone rear section 49 and, with it, to the rear panels 45 and 46 to position resting upon the supporting surface. The brace Cil member 54 then extends at a downward and rearward inclination from backbone 41, with the lower end of arm 58 seating on backbone rear section 49, effective for holding the binder in its set-up display position, as shown in FIGURE 4. It will be seen that the setting-up operation is, in the main, automatic, which is desirable as facilitating use of the binder for display purposes. In order to fold the binder to book form, the arm 58 of brace 54 is moved forwardly against backbone 41, and V the binder is folded in the manner above described.

The second modified device embodying my invention, shown in FIGURESS and 6, is similar to that of FIG- URES 3 and 4, exceptas to the brace means, and the same reference numbers indicate the same parts in both forms. In FIGURES 5 and 6 a brace member 6%) is suitably secured, conveniently by rivets 61, to each of the covers orprimary members 3.7. and 38 at the rear, and a short distance from the'outer edge, thereof. The brace member 60 is'in the form of an oblong strip of spring steel, as before. It is provided, a shortdistance from its upper end, with a transverse bend 62, forming a relatively short upper arm 63 anda relatively long lower arm 64. The lower arm 64 is yieldingly urged away from the corresponding cover by the inherent resiliency of brace. member 69. In the setting up operation, the device, in its closed book-like condition, is held in position with the lower edges of covers 37 and .33 in proximity to, or resting upon, a table top or other suitable supporting surface. The covers 37 and 38 are then turned to full open position so as to be disposed in a common plane with the backbone 41. When covers 37 and 38 reach that position, the lower arms 64 of brace members. 60 swing the rear panels or supplementary members 45 and 46 downward and rearward to position resting upon the supporting surface. The covers 37 and 38, together with the backbone 41, arethen tilted rearward sufiiciently to seat the'lower ends. of arms 64 of brace members 60 on the panels 45 and 46, if not already seated thereon. The brace members 60 then provide inclined braces effective for holding the binder or display device in its set-up'condition, as shown in FIG- URE 5.

When it is desired .tofold the binder into book form, the arms 64 of brace members 60 are moved forwardly to position against the rear surfaces of covers 37 and 38, incident to grasping the outer edge portions-of the latter. The lower ends of arms 64 or" brace members 40 are then disposed a slight distance above, the hinge crease lines 47 and 48, as shown in FIGURE 5. The covers 37 and 38, together with backbone 41, may then be folded downwardly and earwardly onto the panels 45 and 46 and the backbone rear section 49. The binder may then be folded into book form, with the'brace members disposed between covers 37 and 38 and the panels 46 and 47. Preferably, though not necessarily, the panels 46 and 47 are of a height slightly greater than the full length of the brace members 60. Accordingly, when the binder is folded, the brace members 60 are confined between covers 37 and 3S and panels 46 and 47 and concealed by the latter.

I have shown my invention as applied to display binders, by way of illustration, but it will be understood that it may be used to advantage with analogous devices to be supported in substantially upright or inclined position.

It will also be understood that changes in detail may be made without departing from the field and scope of my invention, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this.applica tion in which the preferred forms only of my application have been disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a foldable display device, a backbone, two covers hinged to said backbone at opposite sides thereof, said covers respectively comprising a lower panel and an upper panel normally disposed in a common plane and hinged together on a transverse hinge line and said backbone comprising a lower section and an upper section normally disposed in a common plane and hingedly connected together on a transverse hinge line coincident with said transverse hinge line of said cover panels, a rigid binder assembly secured to and extending upwardly beyond said lower section of said backbone, said upper panels and upper section of said backbone being normally folded with said upper section and binder assembly in overlying parallel relation and said upper section being foldable downwardly and rearwardly in a setting-up operation to a set-up position and then providing an inclined supporting structure for holding said lower panels and lower sections at an upward and rearward inclination on a supporting surface for said device, and a substantially rigid resilient brace member disposed between said upper section and binder assembly and having a transverse bend providing a relativly short arm secured to one of said upper section and binder assembly and a relatively long substantially straight arm, said relatively long arm being confined under tension between said upper section and binder assembly when said device is folded and otherwise free and effective for exerting outward pressure on said upper section and thereby moving the latter downwardly and rearwardly to set-up position with said longer arm providing a supporting brace extending between said upper section and said backbone, incident to a setting-up operation.

2. In a foldable display device, a plurality of hingedly connected primary members foldable into book form and comprising a backbone and cover members, a supplementary member hinged to one of said primary members foldable rearwardly thereof to provide means for supporting said device at an upward and rearward inclination on a supporting surface therefor, said device normally being folded into book form with said supplementary member disposed in overlying parallel relation to said one of said primary members and being foldable 5 downwardly and rearwardly in a setting-up operation to set-up position, and a substantially rigid resilient brace member disposed between said one of said primary members and supplementary member and having a transverse bend providing a relatively short arm secured to said one of said primary members and said supplementary member and a relatively long substantially straight arm, said relatively long arm being confined under tension between said one of said primary members and said supplementary member when said device is folded and otherwise free and effective for exerting outward pressure on said supplementary member and thereby moving the latter downwardly and rearwardly to set-up position with said longer arm providing a supporting brace extending between said one of said primary members and said supplementary member, incident to a setting-up operation.

: References Qited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, JEROME SCHNALL,

LEONARD V VARNER, Examiners. 

2. IN A FOLDABLE DISPLAY DEVICE, PLURALITY OF HINGEDLY CONNECTED PRIMARY MEMBERS FOLDABLE INTO BOOK FORM AND COMPRISING A BACKBONE AND COVER MEMBERS, A SUPPLEMENTARY MEMBER HINGED TO ONE OF SAID PRIMARY MEMBERS FOLDABLE REARWARDLY THEREOF TO PROVIDE MEANS FOR SUPPOTING SAID DEVICE AT AN UPWARD AND REARWARD INCLINATION ON A SUPPORTING SURFACE THEREFOR, SAID DEVICE NORMALLY BEING FOLDED INTO BOOK FORM WITH SAID SUPPLEMENTARY MEMBER DISPOSED IN OVERLYING PARALLEL RELATION TO SAID ONE OF SAID PRIMARY MEMBERS AND BEING FOLDABLE DOWNWARDLY AND REARWARDLY IN A SETTING-UP OPERATION TO SET-UP POSITION, AND A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID RESILIENT BRACE MEMBER DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID ONE OF SAID PRIMARY MEMBERS AND SUPPLEMENTARY MEMBER AND HAVING A TRANSVERSE BEND PROVIDING A RELATIVELY SHORT ARM SECURED TO SAID ONE OF SAID PRIMARY MEMBERS AND SAID SUPPLEMENTARY MEMBER AND A RELATIVELY LONG SUBSTANTIALLY STRAIGHT ARM, SAID RELATIVELY LONG ARM BEING CONFINED UNDER TENSION BETWEEN SAID ONE OF SAID PRIMARY MEMBERS AND SAID SUPPLEMENTARY MEMBER WHEN SAID DEVICE IS FOLDED AND OTHERWISE FREE AND EFFECTIVE FOR EXERTING OUTWARD PRESSURE ON SAID SUPPLEMENTARY MEMBER AND THEREBY MOVING THE LATTER DOWNWARDLY AND REARWARDLY TO SET-UP POSITION WITH SAID LONGER ARM PORVIDING A SUPPORTING BRACE EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID ONE OF SAID PRIMARY MEMBERS AND SAID SUPPLEMENTARY MEMBER, INCIDENT TO A SETTING-UP OPERATION. 